Arsene Wenger says that his away record holds up to scrutiny despite it being poor in recent times, and insists that his team should be able to perform whether they’re playing at the Emirates or elsewhere.
You have to go back to January 2015 for the Gunners last win away at one of the so-called big sides. Goals from Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud gave Arsenal a 2-0 win at the Etihad, but since then they have failed to win a game on the road against Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool or Sp*rs.
The sequence does not make for pretty reading:
Arsenal away at last season's top six, last 13 games
LDLDLDDDLLLLL
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) September 12, 2017
However, the Arsenal manager was quick to defend his record overall, speaking ahead of the Chelsea game at Stamford Bridge this Sunday.
“If you look at my record you’ll see I played two years in England in the Premier League without losing a game away from home,” he said.
“Last year, until we lost at Everton, we had not lost away the whole year. So after that we lost at Man City, and it’s true it gave us a bit of a problem of confidence away from home.
“But I don’t really believe in that. The pitch is 105 metres long and 68 wide, everywhere.
“And never in my life I could understand that it’s different away from home. It’s just a matter of how much you want it, wherever you play.
“That’s about football, so it’s a good opportunity to show that we have that quality.”
We’ll see on Sunday how much Arsenal want it and if they have the quality to get a result, especially following the heavy defeat at Anfield at the end of August.
That, says Wenger, is something his players can use against Chelsea.
“I believe that we had a bad performance at Liverpool,” he said, “which I never denied.
“And that should be an even bigger motivation for us to turn up with a quality performance on Sunday.”
AW is and continues to be delusional. Please leave and give us our club back. Thanks for all those great years, but now it is just sad.
Mate Wenger chats bollocks like this when it suits him – no difference home or away. Just like when he says “the managers dont play each other, its the players” … when defending his poor record against Mourinho. Utter bollocks. Man U is a huge case in point. Moyes had basically the same players the year after Fergie got them to win the title. Since then managers have come in and bought “on paper” far better players then Fergie had in his last season, and even Mourinho cant win the league. Also… pitches are not the same width everywhere.. how… Read more »
not sure why the downvotes here. Our away record is absolutely pitiful the last few years. Not even just against top sides. I love Wenger, but he really needs to think of a different strategy in these games. I wouldn’t start Ozil and Ramsey together, at least not in a back 3 scenario.
Why don’t we just sit back and hit them on the counter. Do a bloody Chelsea! Let them over commit and use our pace on the break the way Liverpool and others destroy us.
Oh yeh, two teams sitting back, that’ll work! That’s not football, and that’s why we don’t do it!
It does my head in – because every time AW says something like this, it’s a cast iron guarantee that no lessons will be learned, no changes made. And yeah what is with all the downvotes? Is it cos we beat Bournemouth and Cologne? We getting excited again are we?
Won the last two games FA cup final and Community Shield against the Chelsea.. O shit that counts for nothing since we are in a mood set by media not by reality… we have been poor so poor that we should start supporting our team.. but wait that requires me to stop using my phone/tablet/computer and actually go and sing my heart out there in the stadium just like Koln guys singing even when loosing 1-3. NO WAY…
In fact, fans have such a short memory, unbelievable. Every season we get more of the same
Agreed.
Ramsey will do his usual and play for himself rather than the collective exposing Granit.
Let’s face it Bournemouth were poor this will be a different ballgame.
Elneny and Granit played together in the charity shield and controlled the game because he they sat and allowed the flair players to do there stuff in the final third not leaving us exposed.
Agree. Hope Elneny gets start tomorrow.
I’m pretty sure Ramsey has instructions to burst forward by the manager and he’s not “playing for himself.” Let me remind you and other Ramsey hating fans that it was his bursting forward that got us the winner in 2 of 3 of our last FA cups, along with many other very important goals against important teams.
It’s not Ramsey or Xhaka’s fault that they’re played there wth no protection, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know this team badly needs a physical and commanding cdm and/or cb.
because a lot of people on here cant think for themselves, so they just go with the flow
How about you leave and let fans support the club?
Ridiculous comment. Real fans can’t differing opinions?
Or how about you leave and stop disrespecting the fans who don’t share the same opinion as you.
Unfortunately idiots like you are a huge part of so much that is wrong at the Arsenal right now.
Listen Ramseys buttbuddy are you telling me his Liverpool performance was acceptable against one of the best counter attacking teams in the league where he more or less played everywhere except where he should be.
If he does it again it will be another long day
Ramsey Wenger the son, will be allowed to do same again. I don’t waste my time with that anymore. Hope other players will mount a strong team defence.
Don´t you see that he is trying to motivate the team and focus them on their abilities and strengths? He is the manager, and he HAS to talk all kind of bullshit, if this will boost the confidence of his players. And you think you are so smart to catch him being wrong in his numbers and being ´delusional´? Just support the team, mate!
Come on you gunners!
I would posit that he might want to rethink this reverse psychology tactic as the results seem somewhat dubious based on those away result stats.
He is a clever man, but not half as clever as some give him credit for to explain away the facts.
Ramsey is good enough for Swansea.
On a happier note…. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/16/harry-redknapp-sacked-by-birmingham-city-after-13-games
Doesn’t get much more difficult than a trip to Stamford Bridge.
A win would be great, a point is still a good result.
Hopefully at very least we’ll see some fight.
If be very happy with a good performance. Obviously I hate losing, but I can take it if we go down fighting.
Culture of mediorcity, so sad.
Sadly beats culture of delusion. Lost our last five at Stamford Bridge. 2 goals scored and 13 conceded
Why does that stat end with “last five”? Oh yeah, the last six will show we won a game 5-3 at Stamford Bridge. Hmmm. I prefer the stat which shows we have won 4 and drawn 1, our last 8 games vs Chelsea (all competitions). How about that?
The reason I am looking at the away games only is because this is what Wenger is defending, his away record.
Want to make it last 6 at Stamford Bridge? Ok. Lost five, won one. Scored 7 and conceded 16. Does that make you feel any better about our AWAY record at Stamford Bridge?
“Last year, until we lost at Everton, we had not lost away the whole year. So after that we lost at Man City, and it’s true it gave us a bit of a problem of confidence away from home.”
Not true, we lost to 3-2 at Old Trafford in February. He’s becoming the new Trump!
Pitches are not consistently the same size either.
They used to not be but they brought in a regulation size a few years ago.
Rubbish. This is only if the stadium can accomodate it. Only 10 out of the 20 premierleague grounds have the standard size
He’s just picking excuses on a valid question .it might be true that we didint loose an away game before everton game but that’s only because we never faced any good team away from home . The first sign of trouble at Everton and we’re down . Then city Chelsea spurs Liverpool all came and soundly beat us.
And it’s not just away record , our record in general against top six teams in premier league is simply not good enough.
So, other than that loss at Old Trafford, (possible to forget, mind you) Arsenal didn’t lose another away game in the league until December. That’s notable, by all standards. With all the noise about our poor away records against the top 6, won’t blame him for reminding us he’s had moments too.
I think Wenger’s Arsenal have had some of the longest unbeaten away records; going two whole seasons without defeat is spectacular, as he pointed out we achieved in the 02/03 and 03/04 seasons. Hate the man, if you still wish; but support the team.
Yes, but you do realise 02/03 and 03/04 is almost one and half decades ago…
#SilentStanTheDestroyer
Agreed, that the away record in 2012 might not be too bad. The fact is he defended himself by stating a fact that is fake. He can say all the subjective rubbish he wants, but if you quote an objective stat you better be correct if you don’t want to look like a tool.
Overall our record away to the other 6 in 2016 was:
1 win (Everton), 4 draws and 3 losses. Hardly anything to write home about.
And I guess you can say all the subjective rubbish you want too. Get off his back and support the club or find yourself a local club to moan about.
Wenger and the club are free to say any old rubbish in the press, even if it is actually a lie, knowing that there will be fans like you who won’t call him out on it.
I am free to support Arsenal (like you are) and also to call the club out when they say rubbish or perform like they don’t care.
Oh FFS you comparing him to Trump? What next, compare him to Kim Jon? or Hitler?
Clueless as usual! #Wengerout
Yes agreed, pitches are pitches wherever they are. But sport is very psychological. The difference between playing home or away is one of the most defining aspects of professional football.
In fact not just pro footie. My work team play with much more confidence playing on our own bumpy pitch than on opponent’s not so familiar bumpy pitches.
It’s wn indefensible record. It’s an embarrassment. And any other board would’ve sacked him for it.
We can’t consider them our competitors if they continually beat us.
“It’s just a matter of how much you want it”
If this where’s true then it’s even more concerning for Wenger.
But it’s not completely. It’s not just how much you want it but how you set up your team tactically. The more Wenger just focuses on belief, the more I’m concerned about this team’s tactical failings ever getting addressed.
Seeing as we’ve strung two wins together all anti wenger posts will be down voted until the next time we lose and put in a shite performance.
Wenger romantic are always back in town after a win. How can you expect the Club to change if even Fans accept this downfall. Would never be the case in Barcelonas and Bayerns of this world, sadly we dont aspire to them anymore.
I find it fascinating that in this site after Liverpoo loss and bad end to transfer window the thumbs up/thumbs down in comments pointed strongly to Wenger out sentiment. I’d say 80/20 or even 90/10. Whereas today after a quiet week or two and a couple of expected wins v Cheeries and Cologne we’re back to 50/50 or even positive towards Wenger. I’m curious as to whether that’s fans switching opinions after just a few results or whether it based on who comes to the site based on current mood – i.e. more Wrngerouts come after bad result. For record,… Read more »
You just might be right my friend. But there’s no denying that there a large section(could be majority) of fans who still thinks Wenger is doing a fantastic job at the club. Owner doesn’t care , gazidis is ineffective , they won’t dare oust Wenger. Our only option is fans turning against the club. But Until all the fans are united in understanding the real problem at this club Wenger is not going any time soon .
Well, I’ve always based my opinion on the result of the last game, perhaps moderated by results between 1997 and 2005. Doesn’t everyone ?…
“Our only option is fans turning against the club.”
What happened to Gary Cooper?
And we never aspired to be in their orbit before Wenger.
…so what? We should accept this downfall and be thankful for it because of his past achievements?
Err. We won Leuage twice, Cup Winners Cup and a bunch of domestic cups under Georgie Graham. Wenger was a great manager for us in his early years, but we were a classy, successful club before he came and will be again after he leaves. While he remains here we won’t be.
Err, will we, as long as kronke is there im not so sure
Its probably the worst bit of being an arsenal fan.
If you’re Wenger out, fine. Make your case. If you’re Winger In, fine. Make your case.
But this constant swinging from in to out based on weekly results is so utterly tiring.
if your in your in, if your out your out, and if you swing from one result to another thgen you are an idiot
That tweet looks Welsh
Wenger still lives in the past..that away run is more than a decade ago..
“And never in my life I could understand that it’s different away from home. It’s just a matter of how much you want it, wherever you play”. Which is of course very very true.
…So very true infact that you have to go back to January 2015 for the Gunners last win away at one of the so-called big sides (as mentioned in the article). So presumably, we haven’t wanted it then? Which is a bit of poor defence of your away record AW, or perhaps more just open admission that the same record really isn’t good.
oh for fuck’s sake arsene
Less words. More action please. Prove it on the pitch.
From both AW and MO please.
Well records are made to be broken…so we have a good chance to buck the trend.
Why can’t reporters just pull him up on this shit at the time? Fucking embarrassing
Immediately when he says he didn’t lose away for so long, went is there no question as to the appalling current run
Not mentioned in this article but his defence of the transfer window is pathetic
What defence of the transfer window are you talking about ? Aw wants to do away with January window and wants summer one closed before start. Of season
Look at the sky sports article where part of it has been used here. the rest will be another article on here tomorrow
I think we need to revert back to our 433 when we are against weaker opponents. Elneny had trouble with lack of movements up top since iwobi was so far foward, we need the extra midfeilder to create movements and passing options.
lol, everyone has trouble with movement up front
Can’t remember the last time we won at the Bridge, what year was that, damn, google said 2011. I doubt we can win there, but it’s football and anything can happens but i doubt it because we are Arsenal. Wenger needs to prove us wrong by winning there, or at least steal a point.
Don’t “defend” your record – improve it.
Use Liverpool loss as a motivation? When have we ever done that against a big side? Infact his usual big game post match interviews have him blaming the previous results causing his team to be down psychologically.
Wenger rightly pointed out his historical success away from home, but sadly that’s what it is ‘history’.
That was when we had a formidable team with players who did not accept losing even often when down to 10 men.
This current team roll over and die against every ‘big’ team nowadays (granted, FA Cup last season was an exception).
I’m not looking forward to this match at all.
Oh it saddens me to say this, but all I could think is:
“that is such a nice story grandad”
Man Utd v Arsenal 28.02.16
3:2
Barca v Arsenal 16.03.16
3:1
Pretty sure they are the same YEAR…If you mean season, say it. If you are trying to say a run until the epic everton tragedy in December is worthwhile bragging about while ignoring the rest of the season say it…
But, please Arsene, we love you and respect you, but just stop doing this to us.
“The pitch is 105 metres long and 68 wide, everywhere.”
This is demonstrably not true. WHL was 100 metres long when football was attempting to be played there. Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton and Liverpool also have pitches which don’t meet the required legal size required by the Premier League.
Bit of mild pedantry to start the day. As you were.
One thing I don’t see mentioned anywhere (I may have missed it) is that teams setup differently away from home. The pitch may be the same size but the team you are facing on it can be a completely different beast even with the same players.
Why does he treat everyone else like an idiot and everything that comes out of his mouth is golden and without any need for scrutiny?
He is becoming a very odd duck.
“And never in my life I could understand that it’s different away from home. It’s just a matter of how much you want it, wherever you play.”
But when Walcott said as much after we lost at Palace, you dropped him for the rest of the season! Master of mixed messages
Just one more time , I’d like to see Arsene win the title just to shove all this negativity down everyones’ throats. I’ve never seen such a successful club and manager treated with such contempt and disrespect . It’s as if Arsene is the epitome of the Grinch who stole Christmas from all the pundits , experts and explayers. Worse, because even the Grinch was loved at the end. Maybe he stole their wives and ate their children . What did Arsene do so terribly that he is so loathed by even ex Arsenal players? Is he not one of… Read more »
Because the fans pay the highest ticket prices in the league and deserve better than what Wenger is now providing, add to that the constant condescending remarks Wenger makes about the fan base as if we are all idiots?
It’s cos he’s shit and also smug about it.
Trust me…that phrase wouldn’t have been used 15yrs ago..that’s why we are pained he is tainting his otherwise fantastic legacy
Dude, the moment the entire world thinks one way and you think the other, you should actually check yourself. The fact that Mexican commentators and ex players and fans mostly have negative things to say about winter means there’s actually something wrong. All these people cannot be wrong and only wenger right. The truth is, wenger was a great manager, unfortunately football has moved on and our dear coach is stuck in 2003/2004.
Only a fool does the same thing the same way all the time expecting different results.
“When everyone agrees with me, it’s a consensus. But when everyone disagrees with me, that’s a pile-on.”
The consensus about Wenger has been generally positive for the majority of his two decades. He’s had glowing articles written about his achievements that most managers can only fantasise about. Nothing lasts forever.
That away win at man city was due to the players getting together and deciding we needed to play a different strategy to win. Let’s hope they get together again before this one.
Blogs, out of curiosity…how many games out of that away sequence has Cazorla missed out on? If you could find out it be grand!
doesn,t matter if he played or not
Boring. If I was a player at Arsenal that would just suggest that we don’t know why we lose away at big sides so it won’t really matter one way or another if we do again. Would be so much more interesting if he said something like, ‘our record in recent years is not up to scratch, if we want to be Champions we need to bounce back quickly from the results at Stoke and Liverpool, and begin consistently putting in the performances that will get us results away from home. I’ll need to see if Ramsey and Ozil need… Read more »
at least the players won’t be subject to the toxic boos from the home supporters.
Oh wait, they will be. nevermind.
cues the downvotes 😀
lol
The difference between home and away is the groundskeeper can suit the ground to the home team, either making the field slick for easier passing or boggy to slow the game down. Since Arsenal prefer fast-paced, timing-based, attacking football, this can have a huge effect on our game, especially in the first half as the team adjusts. Physical teams or teams that prefer to move the ball more through the air (and this includes Chelsea and United, and a host of teams lower down the totem pole) don’t mind the slower movement of the ball on the ground, so the… Read more »
I get really tired of him denied the undeniable. It’s a bad record, there is a difference. Sometimes I think he’s fooling the press, but more and more I think he’s just fooling himself.
It’s the same pitch and it’s the same fixture but there is an undeniable difference between home and away.
Have been watching Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt movie (starring Joseph Cotten ) in the morn and there’s a Gunner’s Grill in in …wonder what does it mean ?!
Haha. He loves serving up these gems to th dumb ass media to smack us mighty Gooners over the head with. Sigh.